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Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur’s sister Upma Singh, after the Malegaon case verdict, said it upheld the truth and justice, adding, the faces of those who lied have been blackened.
A file photo of sadhvi pragya singh thakur (pti)
Nearly 17 years after the Malegaon blast killed six people and injured over 100 in Maharashtra’s Nashik district, a special National Investigation Agency (NIA) court on Thursday acquitted all seven accusedincluding BJP MP Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur and Lt Col Prasad Purohit, citing a lack of evidence and procedural lapses.
Speaking to CNN-News18, Upma Singh, sister of Sadhvi Pragya, expressed relief and vindication after the long legal battle.
“We are all very happy. It was clear from the start that she was not involved,” she said.
Thanking the judiciary, Upma added, “We were always with the truth, we are Sanatani (followers of Sanatana Dharma), and we don’t do anything that harms our society or our country,” she said.
“I thank God and the judicial system. Today, the judiciary has stood by the truth,” she added.
In a pointed remark, she said, “Jhoote logon ka muh kala hua hai aaj“ (The faces of those who lied have been blackened today).
Special Judge AK Lahoti, assigned to hear cases of the NIA in Mumbai, flagged several loopholes in the prosecution’s case and the investigation carried out, and said the accused persons deserved the benefit of doubt.
Besides Thakur and Purohit, the accused comprised Major Ramesh Upadhyay (retired), Ajay Rahirkar, Sudhakar Dwivedi, Sudhakar Chaturvedi and Sameer Kulkarni.
Once the court acquitted the seven accused, they looked relieved with smiles on their faces. They thanked the judge and their lawyers.
The court, while reading out the judgment, said there was no “reliable and cogent” evidence to prove the case beyond a reasonable doubt.
The blast took place during the holy month of Ramzan, just before the Navratri festival, the NIA pointed out, claiming the intention of the accused was to strike terror in a section of the Muslim community.
The charges comprised UAPA Sections 16 (committing terrorist act) and 18 (conspiring to commit terrorist act) and under various IPC sections, including 120 (b) (criminal conspiracy), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 324 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 153 (a) (promoting enmity between two religious groups).
ALSO READ | I’m A Soldier Who Loves This Country: Colonel Purohit After Acquittal In Malegaon Blast Case
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks.
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